TNAG-1499-FCO40-2057-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 177

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DSR 11C

5.

Such

a

would of

course

have ma jor

with

the

step

for terms of our

implications, in terms

relationships

Chinese and French governments, as well

commercial interests.

>

There would no

as for British

doubt be wider

(in this country

s7of

consequences too in terms of domestic perceptions of the

Government's attitude to nuclear power.

6.

Our immediate response to the Governor's concerns

to

the

continue providing the

Hong Kong

fullest

Government

in its

must, I suggest, be to

possible support

present difficult position. We must demonstrate to them,

and enable them to demonstrate to a nervous and volatile

population, that we are aware of our

towards the community; that we are

responsibilities

fully communicating

and

enterprises

local anxieties to the governments

concerned; and that all possible is being done to inform

and reassure Hong Kong people.

7.

aware of the

The planned series of briefings and consultations

should help make Hong Kong people better

facts regarding reactor safety. But reactions to nuclear

power are not entirely rational, and it would be wrong to

under-estimate

the

depth of public Last week)

feeling.

The

Governor has suggested that the debate on the adjournment

could in the Legislative Council may well not be the end of the

matter: Before the LEGCO session finishes at the end of

could be calls July there

further debate on a

motion to the effect that

for

no nuclear plant should

be

built

So

close

to

Hong

Kong

and that

the

Chinese